I strongly condemn yesterday's assassination of Lebanese Brigadier General
Francois al-Hajj and extend my condolences to his family and the families
of the innocents who were murdered alongside him.

This assassination marks the twelfth political assassination or attempted
assassination Lebanon has suffered since October 2004. Like the many
victims before him, General al-Hajj was a supporter of Lebanon's
independence and an opponent of Syria's interference in Lebanon's internal
affairs. I call on the international community to support the Government
of Lebanon in its efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of these
vicious attacks, and to stand with the citizens of Lebanon who continue to
struggle to safeguard their freedom, sovereignty, and democracy. This act
of terrorism again reminds us of the importance of the International
Tribunal established by the UN Security Council earlier this year and of
the urgency of ensuring that the Tribunal is fully funded and capable of
commencing its operations as soon as possible, to begin holding accountable
those responsible for this systematic campaign of murder against Lebanon's
most ardent patriots. We must work together to support and strengthen an
independent and democratic Lebanon.

This attack comes as Lebanon is seeking to choose a new president. The
United States supports the efforts of the democratically elected Lebanese
Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintain the sovereignty and
stability of Lebanon before the presidential elections. As Lebanon seeks
to select a president democratically and in accordance with its
constitution, interference by the Syrian regime and its allies, aimed at
intimidating the Lebanese people, must end. The people of Lebanon deserve
the opportunity to choose their leaders in freedom and without fear.